Up and Coming: February

It is Monday, isn’t it?

Yes. Yes, it is.

But this isn’t a book review?

No. No, it isn’t.

There’s a simple explanation: I’m part of a blog tour this week for the amazing Paris Adrift by E.J Swift and my review is scheduled to go live on Wednesday. A quick post-swap later and I can get everything done without having to find additional content. See? Simple!

This is my second attempt of writing this post. I got half way through and deleted it. Why? I was moaning. I’m supposed to be focusing on positive thinking and my achievements in the last month, not whining about ambitions and targets.

So, what have I achieved? I’ve got back into my novel! I’m still editing what I have, but feel like progress is being made and the changes occurring are really going to help me when it comes to new content. The characters are developing more depth in my mind and I think my pacing is better. If I can keep to the schedule I’ve been working on, I don’t think it will be too much longer until I’m writing new scenes. There is a post about this coming later this month.

I’ve also been trying to spend more time on the blog. I lost my buzz for it last month because it is challenging keeping up: I’m no longer commuting, so suddenly fitting in reading time is harder than it used to be. But – again – I’ve got back into it and found a few chats that I’m at home for, which has helped. I’ve gained a handful of followers (hi, if you’re reading this and thank you!), although I have a sneaky suspicion some are spam.

My next target with the blog is to improve my graphics. They’re pretty rubbish. I’m not entirely sure what/how to go about doing this as my photography skills are lacking and my photoshop skills are rudimentary at best. If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

My achievements have focused in the writing side of things this month. I’m very happy about that and hope I can keep it up!

What’s in store for this month? In keeping with trying to review books as they come out rather than ten months later, I have a couple of new releases (plus Paris Adrift) coming up.

Scribes by James Wolanyk: Pawns in an endless war, scribes are feared and worshipped, valued and exploited, prized and hunted. But there is only one whose powers can determine the fate of the world . . .
 
Born into the ruins of Rzolka’s brutal civil unrest, Anna has never known peace. Here, in her remote village—a wasteland smoldering in the shadows of outlying foreign armies—being imbued with the magic of the scribes has made her future all the more uncertain.
 
Through intricate carvings of the flesh, scribes can grant temporary invulnerability against enemies to those seeking protection. In an embattled world where child scribes are sold and traded to corrupt leaders, Anna is invaluable. Her scars never fade. The immunity she grants lasts forever. 
 
Taken to a desert metropolis, Anna is promised a life of reverence, wealth, and fame—in exchange for her gifts. She believes she is helping to restore her homeland, creating gods and kings for an immortal army—until she witnesses the hordes slaughtering without reproach, sacking cities, and threatening everything she holds dear. Now, with the help of an enigmatic assassin, Anna must reclaim the power of her scars—before she becomes the unwitting architect of an apocalyptic war.

Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking: 

Malin is a Valkyrie-in-training. It’s her responsibility to slay immortals, returning them to the afterlife to maintain balance in the world. She also struggles to maintain balance in her own life – between her studies, her duties as a Valkyrie and her conflicting feelings for her ex-girlfriend. But when a beguiling stranger breaks into her home on a quest for vengeance, Malin’s carefully balanced life falls apart.

Asher is hunting the rogue immortal who murdered his mother, and he thinks Malin may have information. Her loyalties are tested, as she uncovers a betrayal that unravels everything she thought she knew. And she must decide if helping the mysterious Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk – to the world, and to her heart.

I’m also finally finishing the first Ava Richardson trilogy, Return of the Darkening, after starting it about a year ago. Thanks, Kindle Unlimited! I do have several of her other books to get through as well though.

Then there is the normal film and television posts coming up. I’m returning to some Orphan Black and The Flash, as well as trying out the new series of The Gifted. I’m hoping for some entertaining viewing!

So there is my month. How about you? Have you got some exciting books or films you are planning to get through this month? Let me know!

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Bloglovin’